Sheet handling and treating mechanism



Aug. 11, 1942.

J.v E. ERHARDT, JR., ETAL SHEET HANDLING AND TREATING MECHANI'SM Y' Filed Sept. 25, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet l aZe/Z/ Aug. 11, 1942. J. E, ERHARDT, JR., ETAL 2,292,781

SHEET HANDLING AND TREATI'NG MECHANISM l f Filed sept. 25., 1940 s shetsfsheet 2 L i L' 7 l V n 14 Aug. 1l, 1942- `J,E. ERHARDT,JR.,1ETAL 2,292,781 n SHEET HANDLING AND' TREAT'ING MEc'HANrsM Filed sept; 25, 194g Y a sheets-sheet 3 :mi-:jij

. JZ? A .fazz-mf/i;

@kfz/Z520i@ J. E. ER-HARDT, J'R.,E1AL I 2,292,781 SHEET HANDLING AND TREATING uEcHANIsu Aug. ll, 1942.

Filed Sept. 25. 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jij i Aug. 11, 1942'. J. E. ERHARmifJR, ErAL '2,292,781 f lSHEETVmumLINcfjAND TREATINGMECHANISM: 'I Filed sept. 25, 1940 8 sheets-sheets f f lll/ll Maerz/2x52 SHEET HANDLING AND TREATIYNGiMEbHANlsM i Filed sept. 25, 1940 ."8""snQgts-sheet es` `Fl-V /f l f MM@ J. E. ERHARDT, JR.; ETAL.

Aug. l1, 1942. y

SHEET HANDLING AND TREATING MECHNISM u Filed Sept. 125, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 7' Patented Aug-.11, 1942 n l n 2,292,781

SHEET HANDLING AND f `MECHANISM n 'John E. Erhardt, Jr., and Robert n.` seda, BauimoreMd., assignors to CrownCork 4.St/Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation y efNewYerky Application September Z5, 1940, Serial No. k358,358 `A`n claims. (ci. 271-3) i,

This' invention concerned Withgsheet handling mechanism, `particularly as associatedwith pickling apparatus in a plating line, `or as forme ing part of the line. A general yobject of e the invention is to provide for'the smooth'andl acculrate handlingrof thesh'eets entirely mechanically from an voriginallstack through a pickler and awasher and up to the plating apparatus, for example, a tin pot, and to assure eiective pickling`- andk washing operations, InV the interest of increased output, the invention contemplates apreferred system `through `which sheets may be passed abreast, andin this connection an ob-` ject of the invention is to provide means for accurately'starting through the system a plurality of sheets in abreast relation.'

Typical apparatus in accordance with the invention, isl shown by way lof examplev in the ac.

companying drawings with reference to which description will bemade. i In the drawings: n

Figure 1 is an elevation, with parts of a system embodying the invention.

Figure 2 shows `diagrammatically a part, of

the drive arrangement for ure 1. l

Figure 3 isa plan view, with parts omitted, of the system of Figure 1. i f

Figure 4 is a planview, enlarged, and with details supplied, of sheet. dividing and feeding the system in .Fig-

mechanism included in-the system.

Figure 5 is a section substantially on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6v is an elevation of `the A.apparatus 4of Figure 4,

in section,

v Goebel and-Chantland. -The feeder 2|l`isfdisably engaged a screw 26 which has fixed there?` end portion .of the screw being engaged, in av Figure.,7 is a sectionsubstantially on line '1;1.l

of Figure 6.v

Figure 8 is a section substantiallyon lline 8-`3 l of Figure 3, with details added. i

Figure 9 is a section substantially online 3 3 of Figure 8.

FigureV 10 is a section Iii-I0 of `Figure 8.

Figure 11 is Aa section i of Figure 8. Figure 12 is a section substantially on substantially on substantially oni line Figure 13 is a section? |3--l3 of Figure 8.

Figure 14 is i a section Il-H of Figure 8. i

Figure 1'5 is a partial section on line |II||I substantiallyy on line 'substantiallyA on line apparatus, and

of Figure 8 showing liquid level'vmaintaining line l v line I A, Figure-1, designates generally a sheet ldivider `as the, latter isthreaded in ando'ut of nut 28.

` bolts passed through :mesma Figure 16 is van elevation Figurejl. .i r Referring to the drawings, reference character of the of and feeder, referencecharacter `B a pickler,fref. erence character C a washer orrinser, and refer'- ence character D a tin pot, the latterbeing yof anyY conventional construction.

InFigure'3, reference numeral ,20 designates conventional mechanism for feeding sheets singly from astack and as a matter of reference vthis i feeder will herein be assumed to be that of Patl ent `2.,1842963 granted December 26, 1999, te"

posed 'at the side of the divider` andI feederfA. The latter comprises .an v'upright i'rame 2| which may-:be conveniently built up of "angles, the. frame supporting aV top plate' 22 slidably guided on the top of the frame 2| byiangles 23 and` 2|,'Figure 1,'for movement toward'andA away from the stack feeder. At its far side, plate 22 has secured'to, its edge a strip 25 in. a'dovvnf-` wardly. projecting portion ,of whichI is rotat.,. fV

to outwardly of plate -22 a crank'21; theother nut.- 28 Vfixed. against a top cross'memberof" framel 2|, Figure 6. Plate 22 follows the screw Substantially centrally of lplate 22, va strip 29 Y is` `welded. thereon inV parallel relation to strip 25. To the left of strip 28. an angle 30 is ade., .iustably secured on `the 'top'plate' by means of I' the horizontal flange of the angle `and through slots 3| and 32 in the`plate. f To the right of strip 29'and'adjacent theedge of plate 22, an angleV 33 is adjustably mounted on the plate in the same manner as the angle` 30. rMembers 25 and 30 yconstitute'parallel sheet guides as do `also members 29 and 33,k members 30 Land 33 beingV adjustable ein accordance with the width of the sheet and all'of thel guides be-l ingadjustable with plate 22 relative tov frame 2| for Lproperly disposing the guideways as a whole. i Pushers 3l and 35 are slidable on top of plate 22 between guides 25 and 30, and 29 and 33 respectively. i Each pusheniashere shown, is constituted by an angle with oneange 'resting flatly on the plate, the right hand ends of the pushers being undercut, as shown in Figureo," so asto clear the bottom-flanges of angles 30 and I3 when the latter. are adjusted to the left.l The pushers have*l secured theretov lrearwardly ex n tending rods 36 and which are clamped in the upper ends of arms 38 and 39 of a frame 40,

Vfeeder 20, the drive going to the main timing a' follower in the form of a roller Il carried by an extension Bil of frame 40. Compression springs 5| and I2 engaged between frame Il and abutments on the ends of rods 4| and 42 hold follower 4I against cam 4l.

One end of shaft 41 is journaled in a bearing Il on a part of frame 2|, Figure 6, and adjacent the bearing the shaft has nxed thereon algear M which engages a gear l5 fixed on one end of a shaft ll to whose other end is fixed a sprocket 51, the shaft 56 being journaled in a bearing ll be low bearing 83.

A motor Il, Figures l and 6, is connected into a speed reducer 60 through change speed mechanism such as Reeves gearing Il. The reducer 8l has an output sprocket l2 connected with sprocket` l1 by a chain 83, the latter passing over an idler 6I on frame 2| and having a bight engaging a sprocket 85 of a gear box which has an upright output shaft It for the drive of the stackshaft of the latter. t

The pushers ll and l5 are shown in rearmost position in the drawings, wherein they overlie the rear margin of plate 22. This limit position is, however. adjustable through adjustment of rods It and I1 relativeto arms 3l and I9. As shaft 41 is driven, cam 4I is rotated in the direction of the arrow, Figure 7, and the pushers are moved forward by springs 5| and l! until a short dwell I8' of the cam is encountered, the pushers being then returned during continued rotation of the cam. The ,forward movement of the pushers is utilized to simultaneously advance sheets which have been deposited on the table between the guides, by any suitable mechanismVl of which an example will now be described.

Extending from thestack feeder 20 above, and partially across the'table, is a frame which in'- cludes horizontal side bars l1 and Il. Figures 3. 4 and 8. this frame replacing the table shown in the above mentioned patent, or, if desired, being a continuation of the latter. The free end of the frame may be supported above the table in any convenient manner. 'Journaled between bars l1 and Bl, adjacent the stack feeder, is a shaft Il having fixed thereon a sprocket 1|) for'drive through a chain 1| from the timing shaft of the stack feeder. Fixed against one face of sprocket 1li is a cam -12 engaged by a follower roller 1I on l:asoman said patent hold-down rollers Il, Il and Il cooperate with the feed rollers, and skid strips I1 extend between shafts 11 and l2.

With the deflector, constituted by shaft 11 and nnger 1l, in the position of Figure 4ii, a sheet coming from the stack feeder will pass over the defiector and over the end of the conveyor or propeiling means on to the table between guide elements 2l and ll which are adjusted to receive the sheet between them with sliding clearance. As this sheet left the'extremities of nngers 1l. shaft 11 was rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, Figure 6, from cam 12, so that as the next sheet reaches the fingers it is deflected downwardly onto the table 'between guide elements 2a and 33. At this point the pushers 84 and Il are moved forwardly as above described, so that the two sheets are simultaneously advanced and are fully withdrawn from the table bymeans which will be later described. The next sheet will be discharged from the end of the conveyor beforel pusher Il `has returned completely to its outer position, the pusher moving out from f underneath the sheet 'and the adjacent margin of the latter eventually droppingy onto the horizontal flange of the pusher. The same applies to pusher Il. It will thus be seen that sheets fed in a line, i. e., in tandem, are divided, alternate ones being deflected. and that the sheets are advanced simultaneously abreast in pairs, one sheet deep. While as hereshown the advanced groups consist of pairs of sheets, it will be understood that the invention is not limited in this 4respect and that additional guideways and deectors can be provided, if desired, so that the groups can consist of any reasonable ,numberof sheets.`

Secured to the rear side of frame 2| adjacent its upper end is a horizontal channel Il to the ends of which are fixed a pair of brackets Il and 00, a further'bracket Il being secured to the channel centrally thereof. 'The brackets rotata pitman 1l which has a bifurcated end 1l straddling shaft Il so as to properly position the follower. The other end of pitman 1I is pivoted to an upwardly extending arm 16 on a shaft" ties, and a further similar shaft It is journaled in the side bars between shafts 11 and ,Il and adjacent the former. shafts l0, 82 and Il being all driven in the manner disclosed inthe above mentioned patent. Also, as disclosed in the A similar shaft 82 is Y iournaled in the side bars adjacent their extremiably support shaft sections Il, 93 and 94 which are nxed in the ends of a pair of magnetic rolls l5 and 08, these rolls being of known construction. Fixed on the right hand end of shaft Il. Figure 4, is a sprocket' I1. The brackets have upward extensions in which is engaged a tie rod Il which is spaced a slight distance above the rolls, as indicated in Figure 8. Also, the brackets have rearward extensions lll, |00 and IM which are downwardly recessedl to provide catch or hanger portions as particularly shown in Figure To the right of vframe 2|, Figures 1 and 8, is a frame il! supported on vertically adjustable feet |08. Frame Il! includes three parallel horizontal channels |04. III and IUI, Figure 1i, in perpendicular relation to the vertical plane-of the axis of rolls Il and Il. these channels supporting a rectangular tank |I1. The tankhas fixed to its bottom wall a pair of angles I Il and ill which lie against the'outer flanges of channels i and |08 and are secured to the latter through bolts which pass through horizontal slots in thevertical angle nanges, Figure 8. ,In this manner the tank is secured in position on frame |02 with the possibility of adjustment along the latter.

Secured to the side walls ill and of the tank within the latter are bearing blocks i2 and ill in the lower portions of which are journaled the ends of a shaft IM carrying a rubber roll ill.

vUpper guidewavs ill and ||1 of the bearing blocks slidably receive bearings lll and Ill. Bearings Ill and ill 'support the ends of a shaft IRI which carries a rubber roll III. The upper ends of the guideways are bridged by plates '|22 `and. |23 in which are threaded screws |24 and |25 which bear against bearings ||0 and |`I0 Yrespectively for the purpose of holding roll |2| in proper contact withv roll ||0.y The rolls are of the same diameter and the roll shafts are connected together through gears |20 and |21,Aof the same size, in a housing |20 removably secured to ythe outer face of side wail '||0. v\S haft||4 has secured to its right hand end, 'Figure 11, a double sprocket |20. Bearing blocks `||2 `and ||3 are formed'with catch orhanger portions as at |30,

Figure 8.

A chute |3 1, 4and 8.`comprses bars |32'secured to'transversely extending. rods |33 l and |34 whose ends are respectively engageabie in catches!!! and and the catches as at `|30 of the bearing blocks. The -.centralf portion of rod |33 is also supported inthe catch |00. As shown in Figure 4, there are `two groups of bars 32, one in association with each'of rollsf00 and Y 50. outwardly of thebars |32,- rods |33 and I vsupport guide wings |30 and |30.

t As particularly shown in Figure 8, the tops .of the bars |32 are substantially tangential to the magnetic rolls, and the'plane ofigrolls ||0 and |2|, which constitute infeed rolls for the pickler,

is substantially perpendicular to the bars. |32,

3 closed sovtha't when steam or othergaseous me` dium is supplied thereto agitatingV jets will be dilcted Itis desirous that tno level of'tno oioknng liquid in tank |01 be maintained at a substantially constant level tankis preferably equipped 'with the' level mainfvtainin'g means particularly shown in Figures y15 l the `iloat chamber the top plane of the latter being at the bite oi4 kthe infeed rolls.`

At theother end of the tank from theinfeed rolls ||5 and' |2| is mounteda pair of outfeed rolls |31 and |30, these being exactly the same"v as the infeed rolls and similarly mounted' in bearing blocks |33 and |40, Figures 8 and `12,`the shaft 4| of roll |30 having fixed thereon a doubley sprocket |42` like sprocket |20. The plane ofthe outfeed roll axes vis inclined-to the same extent and '16." In these figures reference numeral li 00 designates a nipple securedto the-tankbottom beneath anfope'ning |01,-the nipple being engaged y with-oneiend of a- T end is `ordinarilyclos'ed by adrain plug |00.

r| 00 whose opposite lower Engaged in the side opening of the T is a ntting 200 which communicates with the' T throi'xghfan .oriflce..20|.L A horizontal 'pipe section 202 engaged vin fitting 200 is connected through an'elbow 203 with an upright pipe section 204 whosev upper end is connected into a float chamber` 200 having a top opening 200. Thej arrangement--issuch that the level vin tank |01 is maintained valso in 200, but abrupt fluctuations in the tank are not communicated to the iloa't chamber due to the provision ofthe restricted" orifice 20| which servesasA adamping means. A vioat 201 in chamber 2 00 has an" arm,2 00` in connection with `a switch, such 'as a mercury Switch, in housing 200,y the'jswibch being adapted ber the switch-is closed and the consequentopbut oppositely to the plane ofthe infeed rollV axes. i

Reference numeral |43 designates a steam pipe which is brought throughthe side wall ||0 at |44 and |40, Figures 8 and 11. The pipe is looped back and forth across the tank and includes.

cross portions` |40 and |41, Figures ,8, 10,11 and v12, which are horizontally disposed inv paralllism and are equalLv spaced from and outfeed rolls respectively.

A cage |40 comprises arcuate bars- |40 in paral lei relation tixed to a cross |00 whose ends are engaged incatches as at `|0I, Figure-8, in

bearing blocks ||2 and ||3. With the cage y,|40 in the operative positionk shown, the free ends of its bars are'supported freely on the pipe section |41. A Vsimilar cage |02 includes arcuate bars |03 secured to across rod |04 whose ends are the4 infeed eration of the solenoid valve permits the-supplyy of liquid to'the tank until the-normalievel is restored, the float then opening the switch so that the valve 2|| closes. A frame |00 on frame |02 supports a washer tank-10| in exactly the same manner in which tanky m 1s supported on frame m. Attno en .y tering end of the tank infeed rolls |02 and |03, C|2 are supported .in

exactiy'like rolls |I0 and bearing blocks on 'the side wens m and m of ytank |0|.' However, the commpnplane ofthe :fm or rou m hasmoathereonidouble'sprocket;Y andi'are outfeed 1 rolls '|00 and |00 arrangedfsimilariy iii-beading` |01. Spaced'from rolls |02 blocks on the tankside walls.' The axis of roll supported incatchesas at |00 of bearing blocks and |40, the freeends of bars' |03r resting freely on the pipe section andthe bars |03 being alternated with the bars `|40. The lower interengaged portions of the 6088s, |40 and |02 are below the indicated liquid level in tank-|01, Figure 8. As shown in this -flgure,a` pipe |00 extends crosswise of the tank above the inter-v engaged cage ends and has downwardly directed perforations, lthe perforations being belowthe A pipe|01 extends'crosswise of the L liquidv level. tank below cage |40 and beneath the liquid level,

the pipe '|01 having upwardly' directed perfora-j tions. As indicated'in Figure 15the pipe |00, is

engaged through a threaded coupling sleeve |00 with an inlet nipple |00 Vs'etfin side wall 0 and consequently pipe `|00 is readily removable. e Y

.|01 may extend xedly fromA side walll ||0.

' e'nds of these pipes adiacenttank wail are' |00 is vin ina cominonhorizontal plane. The axes of rolls I 0 0and |00 are inA a common vertical-piane. 'I'heshaft mot rou nenas axes thereon o sprocket |1|. The bottom wall of tankv |01. is'` provided with a drain opening m anclwituonoverflowr opening m, tno ,lotti-,r` being adapted' toman `tank at a level above 4the lower` tain liquid in the Portions of rolls |02 and |00.

A chute or guidewau |14 comprises anupper t series of arcuate bars, |10 secured. to cross rods |10 and' |11 and a lower series of-arcuatebars |10I secured"to"cross-rods |13ffand |00. The bends' of cross rods' .blocks` as at |10 and |10aretsecured in spacer ceivable in atchesprovided inthe bearing feed rolls as'indicated in Fig ures 8 and 13;Y The left hand opening ofthe guide 1 |14 Figure 0 *and jfor this purpose Athe the -same horizontal planeastheaxisy of roll `|02 and the axes oi4 rolls |00 and'jl00 ,are

|00' are secured` in. spacer 'blocks `as at,Y |02, Fia"- 8. L kEnd-portions ofrods |10 and .100ste re-` blocks ofthe pickier. outfeed, rolls and yof thewasherin` is flared toward the bite of outfeed rolls |31 and |38, while the right hand opening is directed toward the bite between the infeed washer rolls |52 and |63. Bars |83 fixed on cross rods |84 and |85 constitute guide means between the infeed and outfeed rolls of the washer, the cross rods being supported in catches provided on adjacent portions of the bearing blocks for the said rolls. Perforated transverse pipes 22| and 222 direct jets of water toward the top and bottom of theguide means. v

Mounted on frame |82 below sprockets |61 and |1| isa bracket |86;` Fig e 9, into which is threaded a jack shaft |81 on which is rotatable a sleeve |88. The sleeve |88; as a radial flange |89 against the opposite faces* of which are bolted sprockets |90 and |9|. Referring to Figure 2,

the sprocket |9| is connected with sprockelf- |1| and the outer sprocket of the double sprocket |61 by a chain |92. The inner sprocket of the unit |61 is connected by a chain |93 4with the inner sprocket of the sprocket unit |42- of which the outer sprocket is connected through a chain |94 with the outer sprocket of unit |29. The inner sprocket of the latter is connected through a chain |95 with sprocket 91 on the magnetic roll shaft. All the rolls are of the same size as are also'the sprockets, and consequently the periphf eral roll speed is the same throughout. We have shown the infeed rolls for the pickler as being in driven connection with each other through gears |23 and |21 and the output rolls |31 and |38 are assumed to be similarly geared together. However, in some cases drive to a single roll of each of the infeed and outfeed kpairs will suilice.

While no gear connection has been shown between the rolls of each pair of washer rolls, such connection may be provided if desired.-

The tin pot D has the conventional feed rolls, those of the initial pair being designated by the reference numerals 2H and 2|5, Figure l. It

is here assumed that drive from any suitable source of power comes to a sprocket 2|1 on shaft 2|6 of roll 2M through a chain 2|1'. According to the present invention a sprocket 2|8 fixed on shaft 2|G isnconnected through a chain 2|3 with the sprocket |90 on the jack shaft |81. Thus, the drive for the magnetic roll and for the rolls of the pickler and washer unit comes from the tin pot drive so that proper synchronization is readily securable. Tin pot feed rolls become pitted in service and require machining from time to time, thus reducing their diameter.

On the other hand, the rolls of the pickler andA washer, which are here considered to be of rubber, show littlel wear in use and, consequently, if lthere were no compensating means, the peripheral speed of the tin pot rolls would fall be' low that of the picklerI and washer rolls with consequent loss of synchronization. It is therefore, most desirable that synchronization be restorable through suitable adjusting means. In order that this readjustment may be accomplished I have provided the readily removable Jack shaft sprockets and, for example, by reattractable sheets are advanced abreast by the pushers 34 and 85 to the magnetic rolls 35 and 9G whichv deliver the sheets to the chute |3|, whipping of the sheets as they overbalance beyond the roll being restrained by the tie rod Il. The sheets slide from chute |3| into the bite of the pickler infeed rolls H5 and |2|, and are Iadvanced by the latter in bowed relation along cages `|48 and |53, through the pickling solution, to the outfeed rolls |31 and |38. The flexing of the sheets at this point tends'to loosen scale or other matter so that thejets of uid directed from the orifices of pipes |56 and |51 through the pickling liquidare particularly. enecti've in removing these accretions. Due to. the .fact that -bars |53 are staggered relative to bars |49, it is that the picklingM solution will effectively reach all bottom surface portions of the sheets. The solution is preferably heated by means of the steam pipe |43, andthe iets directed from pipes |58 and |51 against .the top and bottomY of the sheets bring about a beneficial agitation and scouring effect. i

From the .outfeed rolls |31 and |33, the sheets pass `through the guide |14 to the infeed rolls |52 and |63 of the washer and across guide |83 to the outfeed rolls |68 and |68.l As the sheets traverse the guide |83, they are washed on both sides by jets from pipes 22| and 222, excess water being squeezed from the sheets by the outfeed rolls.

- From the outfeed rolls the' sheets pass down a placing sprocket |90 with a sprocket vhaving one f or more additional teeth, synchronization can be readily restored. Other ratio changing means may be utilized but Ihave found the replaceable sprocket to be .simple and satisfactory in use. An adjustable idler may be provided for chain 2|8 in order that the chain may be properly tensioned for sprockets of different sizes.

With the apparatus driven, the magnetically chute 22|!- to the1infeed rolls 2M and 2|5 of the tin pot.

As an important feature of the invention, there is provided sheetmoistening means, here shown asa pair of pipes-1233 and 23|; Figures f1, 3 and 8, between the outfeed rolls of the washer and the tin pot. As particularly shown in Figure 3. pipe 230 has a pair of nozzles 232\`and 233 disposed centrally of the lines of sheets. Pipe 23|, Figure l, is disposed in a trough of chute 220 in a manner not to interfere with the passage of sheets over the latter and is provided with upwardly directed perforations. A branch 234 from the water supply pipe S, Figure 8, is led to pipe 23|! through a valve 235 and to pipe. 23| through a valve 235. The nozzles 232 and 233 are designed to apply a spray throughout the top surfaces of the sheets. and jets from pipe 23| are arranged to apply moisture throughout the bottom surfaces of the sheets. As the sheets passthrough the stratum form contact with the sheet surfaces. In practice we und that the pipe 23| may be shut 0H or omitted, it ,being only strictly essential to supply the moistureto the tops of the sheets. Natural agitation of the flux beneath the sheets is conducive to a thorough contact under ordinary conditions.

While we have shown the jet creating devices as yconnected to the water supply, they may, instead, be connectedto the steam supply. Steam directed against -the sheets condensesf. and the condensate boils as thevsheets enter the hot ilux, The application of a heated fluid has the advantage of vraising the temperature of the sheets so that their cooling effect on the ux is reduced.

It will be observed that instead of letting the washing fluid through, the sheets'l are substantially dried as a result of the squeegee effect of the outfeed rolls, clean fluid being thereafter applied. To avoid contamination er. the aux, the

acid-laden washing duid is removed as farV as possible and clean fluid is then'applied in such proximity to the tin pot that the Sheets Will enter' the iiux with their top surface, or both surfaces, in moistened condition.

The 11nea1- `speed of the picknng and tinningl units is identical' and constant regardless of the length of the sheets being run. The feeding` mechanism, however, has independent and vari'- able drive and, consequently, the space between succeeding sheets can be reduced and controlled Y,

to a fine degree, thus increasingeproduction.fr

rt win be evident that the apparatus of thev present invention is readily arrangeable in proper relation to the tin pot. The chutes and guides` Vcan be readilyrmounted in position or removed,

due to the described arrangement of supporting catches or hangers. This applies equally well to the guide means between the infeed and outfeed rolls of the pickler, this means being constituted by the independent cages H8 and |52. In re- Y 6. The combination with sheet fee single layer, and means operated each time a group has Vbeen deposited on the table to discharge the group in abreast relation.

adapted to feed sheets in thesame direction in a'single line, of atable, a horizontal'conveyor positioned to receive the fecir sheets and successively distribute Vthem by' groups inside by side relation on the table in a single layer, and means' operated each time a group has been deposited on the table to discharge the' group in abreast relation.

'7. Apparatus of the class described comprising e Y a table, a horizontal frame extending above the f table, sheetpropelling mechanism carried bysaid. a frame, a deilector carried bysaid-frame, means for intermittently operating said deector to deflect alternate sheets downwardly from said 's Y-frame onto the table, the other sheets being promoving cage |48 it will be necessary to remove pipe |56 also, and for this reason the latter isv readily disconnectible as described.

Obviously, the invention is susceptible of varied embodiment as regards form and arrangement of parts, and, consequently, we do notV limit ourselves in these respects except as in the following claims.

yWe claim:

1. The combination withv apparatus adapted to Y feed sheets in Vtandem in the same direction, of

means for receiving the fed sheets, and meansY for intermittently moving a plurality thereof abreast simultaneously.

2. The combination with apparatus adapted'to feed sheets in tandem in the same direction,of

a table in the line of feed onto which the fed sheets are delivered in a. manner to be discharge,- able from ytheV table in abreast relation, and .intermittently operated means for simultaneously discharging the sheets in abreast relationfromV j the table. l Y

3. The combination with apparatus adapted to feed sheets in the same direction in a lsingle line,

of means for simultaneously moving-a `plurality A/feed sheets in the same direction'in a single line,

4. The combination with apparatus adapted to feed sheets in the same directionina single line, of a table in the line of feed, means for depositing a plurality of fed sheets on the table in pelledover the end of said frame ontoi the table beside the deflected sheets, and means operated each' time a pair of sheets has been deposited side by side on the table to dischargethe said pair in abreast relation.

s. vApparatus or the dass described comprising Y sheet feeding means adapted to feed sheets in the same direction in a single line, Va table,v means for receiving the fed sheets Vand depositing said sheets side by side on said table in successive groups of single sheet thickness, and means operated to discharge the-sheets of` individual' f groups in'abreast relation. a

V9. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the table includes a supporting'frame and a AtopV plate, wherein pairs of parallel guide strips for the sheets are provided on said plate, wherein one guide strip of each pair is laterallyadiust-V able relative to said plate, the adjustable guide strips being the corresponding ones of the pairs, and wherein'means is provided for adjusting said plate relative to saidframev perpendicularly Y Y to the longitudinal direction of said strips.

' 10. Apparatus according to,V claim 4tV wherein Y the discharging means is constituted Aby recipmeans is provided rocable pushing means working Vover lthe table between limit positons, arrdgwherein adjustable for determiningrsald limltpositions.V e

11. Apparatus of the class described comprising a table, means fortdepositing a magnetically attractabie sheet on said table. Va magnetic roll alignment in the feeding direction, and means for simultaneously discharging said plurality of sheets from the table transversely of the feeding direction. Y

5. 'I'he combination with sheet feeding means adapted to feed sheets in the same direction in at one side of said table, a member reciprocable on top of the table and adapted to move a sheet a'single line, of a table, means for receiving the fed sheets and successively distributing them by groups in side by side relation on the table in a o into contact with said roll, means forrotating Vsaid rollin a direction to continue the move- Y ment of the sheet, and aV chute arranged to -rey ceive the sheet from said roll.

' JOHN n. ERHARUnJn. ROBERT H.scor'r.

gmeans 

